Samsung SDI Outlines Push Into ESS and Robot Batteries at InterBattery 2026

Samsung SDI is looking beyond electric vehicles as it prepares for slower growth in the EV battery market. The company says new opportunities in energy storage systems, robotics, and urban air mobility could become major drivers for the battery industry in the coming years. Joo Yong-lak, executive vice president and head of Samsung SDI’s R&D center, outlined the strategy at InterBattery 2026 in Seoul.

Samsung SDI says ESS market could triple as AI power demand rises

According to Joo, batteries are becoming a growth engine for several emerging sectors (via Business Korea). These include energy storage systems (ESS), robotics, and urban air mobility (UAM), which are expected to see strong demand over the next decade. Samsung SDI plans to develop technologies that support these industries while addressing rising power needs driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

Energy storage systems are expected to grow the fastest. Samsung SDI estimates the global ESS battery market could reach about 1,232 gigawatt-hours (GWh) by 2035, roughly three times larger than the 399 GWh recorded in 2024. The increase is partly linked to rising electricity demand from AI data centers and the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure.

Robotics is another area where battery demand is expected to rise quickly. The global robot battery market was estimated at around 0.03 GWh in 2025. Samsung SDI expects it to reach about 1.4 GWh by 2030 as robotics adoption expands across industries. Urban air mobility could also create new demand for advanced batteries. Samsung SDI projects UAM battery demand will increase from about 3.7 GWh in 2030 to roughly 68 GWh by 2035 as the sector develops.

At InterBattery 2026, Samsung SDI also showcased several next-generation battery technologies aimed at these markets. One highlight was a pouch-type all-solid-state battery prototype designed for physical AI applications. The company said mass production of its all-solid-state batteries is planned for the second half of 2027.

Samsung SDI is also developing different battery chemistries depending on the use case. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and sodium-ion batteries are being prepared for ESS, while robotics and advanced mobility sectors could use higher-performance technologies such as all-solid-state and lithium-metal batteries.